XXV. RODERICK IN BATTLE. Eight thousand men had to Asturias march’d Beneath Count Julian’s banner; the remains Of that brave army which in Africa So well against the Musselman made head, Till sense of injuries insupportable, And raging thirst of vengeance, overthrew Their leader’s noble spirit. To revenge His quarrel, twice that number left their bones, Slain in unnatural battle, on the field Of Xeres, when the sceptre from the Goths By righteous Heaven was reft. Others had fallen Consumed in sieges, alway by the Moor To the front of war opposed. The policy, With whatsoever show of honour cloak’d, Was gross, and this surviving band had oft At their carousals, of the flagrant wrong, Held such discourse as stirs the mounting blood, The common danger with one discontent Affecting chiefs and men. Nor had the bonds Of rooted discipline and faith attach’d, Thus long restrain’d them, had they not known well That Julian in their just resentment shared, And fix’d their hopes on him. Slight impulse now Sufficed to make these fiery martialists Break forth in open fury; and though first Count Pedro listen’d with suspicious ear To Julian’s dying errand, deeming it Some new decoy of treason, ... when he found A second legate follow’d Virimar, And then a third, and saw the turbulence Of the camp, and how against the Moors in haste They form’d their lines, he knew that Providence This hour had for his country interposed, And in such faith advanced to use the aid Thus wondrously ordain’d. The eager Chiefs Hasten to greet him, Cottila and Paul, Basil and Miro, Theudered, Gunderick, Felix, and all who held authority; The zealous services of their brave host They proffer’d, and besought him instantly To lead against the African their force Combined, and in good hour assail a foe Divided, nor for such attack prepared. While thus they communed, Roderick from the church Came forth, and seeing Pedro, bent his way Toward them. Sirs, said he, the Count is dead; He died a Christian, reconciled to Heaven, In faith; and when his daughter had received His dying breath, her spirit too took flight. One sacrament, one death, united them; And I beseech ye, ye who from the work Of blood which lies before us may return, ... If, as I think, it should not be my fate ... That in one grave with Christian ceremonies Ye lay them side by side. In Heaven I ween They are met through mercy: ... ill befall the man Who should in death divide them!... Then he turn’d His speech to Pedro in an under voice; The King, said he, I know with noble mind Will judge of the departed; Christian-like He died, and with a manly penitence: They who condemn him most should call to mind How grievous was the wrong which madden’d him; Be that remember’d in his history, And let no shame be offer’d his remains.